Rural Community Resource Centres: A Guide for Developing Countries

Description

The Commonwealth Secretariat has found that there is a need throughout the developing world for a book describing the setting up and operation of rural learning resource centres. On behalf of the Secretariat, and using her own practical experience, Shirley Giggey has drawn up this comprehensive training guide. She first provides a complete description of the best method for setting up a rural resource centre, right from the initial idea and planning (taking local circumstances into account), through to financial and staffing arrangements. She covers suitable designs for the buildings to be used and their interior layout, with much detailed advice. The practical, day-to-day running of the centre is dealt with clearly, simply and thoroughly. The need for methodical arrangements in acquiring and storing materials, and how (and even whether!) to lend them out are covered at length. Duplicating and other services are examined. Such matters as keeping of accounts, keeping records of the centre's activities, filing, stock-taking, insurance, maintenance and repair are amply explained. Samples of form letters and accounts pages are included.
There is a list of organisations that provide useful materials. The main business of the centre - the gathering and selecting of materials and making them available - is given pride of place, but the many other possible services that can be offered are suggested and described. The effective use of resources is the aim throughout, an a fund-raising is shown to have a continuing importance. Suggestions are given on all relevant topics. This guide offers workable, solid, thorough advice and information for anyone in the developing countries who is either working in this field already or who wishes to do so. It is written for anyone living in or working with rural communities (community leaders, teachers, extension workers, women's group leaders, youth group leaders, etc.) and who feel their community could benefit from having informational and learning resources. It is written as clearly and simply as possible and uses examples from various parts of the world. There are ample illustrations and checklists.

Contents

Preface Introduction Part 1. Setting up a Centre: Promoting, Planning, Organising and Supervising Tasks Promoting the Idea Setting up a Planning Group or Committee Determining Community Needs Community Profile Setting Objectives The Budget Fund-raising Setting up a Bank Account Auditing Choosing the Staff A Building for the Centre Monitoring and Evaluation Part 2. Operating a Centre: The Day-to-Day Tasks The Basic Tasks Consulting about Informational and Learning Resources Sources of Materials Selecting Materials Ordering, Receiving, and Checking Paying Information-sharing Activities Co-ordinating Activities with Extension Workers Producing Materials Recording Stories and Skills Duplicating Methods and Supplies Organising and Recording the Materials Other Possible Services Promotional Activities Continuing Fund-raising Activities General Tasks (Keeping Accounts; Lending Procedures; Keeping Statistics; Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed; Keeping a Record of Visitors; Stock-taking; Insurance; Reviewing the Materials; Writing Reports; General Maintenance and Repair of the Centre and the Materials) Part 3. Extra Information 1. A Sample Constitution 2. Duties and Qualities of Committee Leaders 3. A Sample Workplan 4. What to Write when Applying for Funds 5. A Sample Fund-raising Record 6. Types of Accounts 7. Organisations that Provide Useful Materials 8. Sample Form Letter Requesting Publications List 9. Sample Form Letter for an Order 10. Subjects 11. A Simple Method of Keeping a Record of Materials 12. Simple Filing Rules 13. Sample Receipt for Money Received 14. Sample Accounts Pages 15. Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed 16. How to do the Stock-taking 17. List of Basic Equipment and Supplies 18. Definitions of Words